For the first time in the history of the state, the army has issued emergency
reserve duty call-up orders to 1,200 women.

"The response was overwhelming, not one refused," Col. Benny Dor,
the Home Front Command's adjutancy officer, told The Jerusalem Post. The women
were called to service last Wednesday and Thursday, Dor said. "We called
them up the night before to inform them and the following day, everyone showed
up."

The women's emergency call-ups were for an unlimited period, like those of
men, Dor noted. They will join hundreds of reservists already deployed since
preparations for the war on Iraq began months ago, when the Air Force called
up reserve units to man batteries of Patriot and Arrow interceptor missiles
throughout the country.

The women soldiers, said Dor, have been deployed in a variety of positions.
They are coordinating operations in command centers, taking communication posts,
or setting up positions on rooftops where they will monitor incoming missile
attacks and direct security and emergency forces to the site.

Others have been deployed to schools and institutions to counsel the public
on what to do in the event of an attack, and still others will be on hand to
distribute medication and vaccinate the public in the event of a chemical attack.
Some of the reservists called up recently have already been discharged, said
Dor.

Despite reports claiming that reservists lack motivation to serve, Dor said,
"in times of emergency, those called to serve their country do so immediately.
It is very encouraging."